Soma/Soma-Dendritic Region

Soma/soma-dendritic region is the postsynaptic receiving end of a neuron containing the soma (cell body, nucleus, organelles) and dendrites, finger-like cytoplasmic extensions of the soma. The soma acts as an “integration center” for signals from the dendrites. The soma maintains the cell and keeps the neuron functional, acting as the neuron’s junction point. The branched dendrites receive incoming chemical stimulation (neurotransmitters) from other neurons, which are aggregated/integrated before being processed further within the soma. The soma doesn’t directly reconvert the chemical to electrical signals. It receives electrical signals from the dendrites, integrates them, and then, if the signal is strong enough, generates an electrical signal (action potential) to be transmitted along the axon. Also see Axon Terminal and Transduction